The 10 Best Laptops for Writers in 2020

Just like writing is your specialty, helping you choose the best laptop for your needs is ours. Whether you are a freelance writer who works or a blogger who converts experiences into blog posts or an author who is writing on a book, finding a good-quality laptop for your writing work can be a herculean task. Isn’t it?

One of our freelance writer who spends hours writing awesome articles for you people to read recently lost her laptop. To keep up with her work, she had to buy a laptop, but there are so many models with a lot of different features, that’s why she got confused and contacted the Laptop experts at topratedhere and asked for suggestions.

To help our writer find a good laptop for her writing needs, we did a research and contacted few professional writers with years of experience and interviewed them to learn about the things that they consider while buying a laptop for writing work.

So what did we find?

From keyboards that are responsive to the touch, keys that are widely spaced to backlit keyboards, machines with SSDs and long battery life. Some writers even asked people with a strong budget to consider a laptop that comes with a good-quality display (For reducing eye related issues, as one might spend hours looking at the screen.)

Pick the best combination that works for you and get writing! We have also compiled a buyer’s guide to help you figure out what you need to consider before pressing that order button. Without any further ado, let’s help you find a good laptop to help

Laptop for Writers: Things to Consider

There are thousands of laptops available in the market and it is really difficult to decide which one to buy. Besides the budget constraint, there are not many factors considered by people. This could be due to ignorance or simply a lack of information.

We are here to remedy that problem for you. Here are some of the things you should think about before buying a laptop. Whether you are a freelancer, work in an office, or a student who types up his notes on a laptop – be mindful of these factors and you will be able to secure a good machine for yourself.

1. Screen

A small screen means that the laptop will be more portable, but a small screen also means less working space. If all you are going to do is write, a 13-to-14-inch lightweight laptop is perfect for you as you will be able to carry it anywhere you want with ease.

Smaller notebooks in-general are lighter and more compact, and big laptops are bulkier. If you are always on the move, 13 or 14-inch display is good. If you don’t travel or carry around your laptop much, you can get a 15-inch screen.

17-inch screens should only be bought by people who keep their laptop on their desk and do not move it around, much like a desktop.

2. Resolution

It is simply unthinkable to go anywhere below full HD. Since there are laptops available for $400 which provide 1920 x 1080 screen resolution, there is no reason to settle for anything else. The resolution is sometimes referred to as full HD or 1080p.

Having a greater number of pixels not only ensures that it is easier to read web pages but if you are anything like me, you will also be able to stack two windows side by side and write without hopping through tabs. This feature ensures multitasking on your laptop is easier than ever.

3. OS

Depending on your needs, you also need to pick the right Operating System for you. Windows is the most popular and versatile because of its ease of functionality and variability. Most people also use Windows products like Word and Excel to write, so it would make sense to get a machine with that OS.

If you prefer the clean and cut look of Mac OS, you can go for either a Pro or Air. Apple has its own ecosystem and you can either thrive there or shrivel. It’s up to you to choose something that fits your unique needs.

Chromebooks come with ChromeOS which has a little less functionality than Windows and macOS. But this operating system is also devoid of any malware threats, virus exposure, and Windows bloatware. If all you are going to do is write, this is a good OS to work on, but keep in mind that there is not much else you can work on here.

4. Battery Life

It is essential to get a laptop that offers at least 8 hours of battery life. Even if you spend most of your time near an outlet, you should get a machine that has a good backup in case of an emergency.

If you travel a lot, you might want to look at laptops that come with even more battery life.

5. Keyboard

The keyboard should be responsive and snappy. Especially as a writer, you need a machine that has a good keyboard which is snappy and can perform without compromising on your comfort.

You should also bear in mind the size of the keys and ensure that there is enough space between them to make it an error-free experience. If the keys are too large, you may end making a lot of errors. If they are too small, they will feel uncomfortable too.

You should also be careful that you don’t want a keyboard that has every key. Usually, most of the keys are repetitive and it can get squishy on the keyboard if keys are squished together. Not only does it hamper the typing style, but also makes tie difficult to hunt for essential keys like arrow keys and backspace.

Another thing to be remembered about the keyboard when looking for a laptop is whether it is backlit or not. In low light conditions, it can be useful to have a keyboard with each key backlit.

6. Key Specs

If you are planning on spending at least $600, you should be able to get a core i5 or i7 processor, 8 GB RAM and a 256 GB SSD. You could also go with an AMD Ryzen Mobile processor.

Solid-state drives are essential as they help in loading programs faster. It is preferable to get a smaller SSD over a large hard drive, as you can always invest in an external hard drive.

7. Budget

You can get a decent writing laptop for $600-700. You can also go lower with Dell and Chromebooks. If you want to get more out of your laptop than just writing, you may have to spend $800 or more.

Priced at less than $200, this Acer Chromebook is truly a treasure trove of features. One of the best advantages of a Chromebook is that it has a solid build quality and sophisticated design. The body is made of brushed aluminum and the keyboard has a matte plastic body. The whole machine looks clean and smudge-free and looks impeccable and immaculate.

Since ChromeOS is low maintenance, you don’t have to install anti-virus or anti-malware programs. You also don’t have to wait a long time for your laptop to update. It is a fast and reliable machine that is perfect for writers who only use their laptop for writing.

While the machine is not as powerful as some others on the list, it serves its purpose in a fast and efficient manner. 4 GB of RAM and 32 GB of storage may seem very little, but since the Chromebook uploads everything to the cloud, you can rest assured that your files will always be safe.

It should be noted that the operating system of this laptop mostly works on a fast internet connection, so you will have to see if that works for you. The laptop is most suited for writers who use Google services like Gmail, YouTube, and Google Office Suite in their everyday usage.

The laptop has a 1080p display, and it is also good for watching videos because of its stunning IPS panel. Colors are bright and the images are sharp. There is no distortion, and the images do not become discolored when you view the laptop screen from an angle.

Since it runs on ChromeOS, the laptop does not have any of the bloatware that comes with Windows. It also has an excellent battery life and its lightweight design allows you to carry it on all your adventures.

A cheap Windows alternative to the Chromebook, Acer Aspire is a perfect machine that comes with all the necessary features and a price tag that is affordable. It has quad-core 8th gen, Intel Core i5 processor, and 8 GB RAM which helps it run fast and smooth.

What’s amazing is that at the low price, you also get 256 GB of SSD which will open all those heavy word files in a snap. It also has a backlit keyboard which lets you work in low light. Good performance, a variety of ports and sleek design is what this machine stands for.

The 15-inch screen is big and larger than life. It is indeed perfect for people who want to use their laptop for streaming and watching movies as well. However, this is a heavy machine when compared to other 14-inch laptops. At 5 pounds, this laptop is considered in the heavier range.

When it comes to the display quality, the laptop has sharp images but the colors look a bit dull. If all you are going to do on it is “write”, it will not be consequential to you, but if you want more, this may not be the machine for you.

The keyboard, on the other hand, is extremely comfortable to type on. It also has a number pad, and despite their addition, the keys are full spaced and full-sized. They are also a little springy, so pressing them feels satisfactory.

The touchpad of the Acer Aspire is large and responsive. It reacts quickly to gestures and includes actions like pinch-to-zoom, a three-finger swipe upward to see all open tabs, and a four-finger tap to open the Action Center.

For budget writers, the Dell Inspiron is a handy machine that offers a good deal at an affordable price. You can get a laptop with all the features you desire without breaking your bank.

Toss it around as much as you want, because the Inspiron is built in a solid manner. When it comes to looks, it is chic and stylish. Writers who want their machine to look subdued and professional will have no problem going forward with this machine.

You also get a tablet with the Inspiron 5000 series. The hinges can be rotated up to 360 degrees, and the laptop has a touch screen. It is one of the cheapest machines on the market that comes with those features, and you can rest assured that there is no compromise.

The laptop has an Intel i5 processor, 8 GB RAM, and 256GB SSD. The keyboard is responsive and fast. The keys feel nice to the touch and offer a comfortable typing experience. The palm area is also wide enough to rest the wrist and write comfortably. For people who want a laptop with the touch screen without paying a premium price, Dell Inspiron 5000 series is the way to go.

The touchpad is extremely smooth and works with Windows Precision Gestures. The screen is sharp and vibrant, although colors do feel a little bit faded. It also comes with 7 hours of battery life, so you can easily take it on a trip and keep it running.

Whether you are a freelancer or use your laptop for writing a thesis, you want a machine that can run as fast as your brain. Lenovo ThinkPad is one such machine as it can run fast and make you work even faster. With its massive battery life, snappy keyboard, and a wide variety of features, Lenovo ThinkPad lets you focus on work rather than any peripherals.

When it comes to aesthetics, the laptop is sophisticated and clean cut. It also has every port you could possibly need, from dual two USB 3.0 connectors, a full-size Ethernet port, to HDMI-out and an SD card reader. The device uses a USB Type-C port for charging and comes with Thunderbolt 3 charging for fast charging.

When it comes to durability, there is no match for this laptop. It can handle the rough life of being carried around, and you can even subject it to extreme temperatures and dust. There is no change in the performance of the laptop, so it is perfect for people who love traveling and writing on the go.

No matter what kind of laptop list it is, it wouldn’t be complete without mentioning MacBook Pro. The features, the looks, the portability – everything about the MacBook Pro is stellar. However, the only gripe people have with Apple products is that they are quite pricey, and that is true for this laptop as well.

Whether you prefer the portability of the 13-inch laptop or want a full-fledged 15-inch machine, the laptop is available in both sizes. It comes with 8 GB RAM and 128 GB SSD which can run for 9 hours on battery.

The laptop, like every other Apple product, is revolutionary in that it elevates the notebook to a new standard. Watch the laptop match your creativity with its high performance, smooth processors and memory, stellar graphics, stunningly fast storage and so much more.

Although the system is installed with MacOS X Yosemite, you can install another program like Windows by using the Parallels program. Like all Apple laptops, this device also comes with a backlit keyboard which ensures that typing is easier in low light as well. It also has a spacious palm rest for further ease in typing.

The laptop has eighth-generation Intel core processors which provide blazing fast speeds. What’s more, the 15-inch model also has i9 processors which work even faster than the previous i7 generation. You can get up to 4.8 GHz of Turbo boost speed with this device.

If you like to watch movies on your laptop, the MacBook Pro has a Radeon Pro discrete GPU which provides fluid images and excellent colors. The Touch Bar has another function. It replaces the function keys on the keyboard and shows all the relevant tools based on what you are doing. Now you can choose to control volume and brightness, browse through any kind of content, or use intelligent typing features like emoji and predictive text.

6. MacBook Air 8th Gen i5, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD

13.3-Inch Retina Display

Touch ID

Dual-core 8th-Generation Intel Core i5 Processor

Intel UHD Graphics 617

128GB Fast SSD Storage

8GB memory

Stereo speakers with wider stereo sound

Designed with performance and portability in mind, MacBook Air is famous for its multifunctional support and portability. The device is available in three colors and you will also get a brilliant Retina display.

To protect all your data from being stolen even when you lose your data, the laptop comes with Touch ID which only you can unlock. The touch ID is quick and snappy and unlocks the laptop in less than a second.

You don’t have to type in the password to unlock your laptop, and you can also ensure that the online purchases on your devices are protected by your fingerprint.

The new MacBook is thinner and lighter than ever before and comes with a fast and efficient force touch trackpad. For writers, there is nothing quite like the portability of this brilliant device.

At less than 3lbs, this is one of the lightest laptops on this list. It should be the first choice of people whose priority is a device they can carry easily or a freelancer who travels to meet clients. It has an iconic and ergonomic design. The keyboard is backlit so you can work even when you are in low light.

The macOS also makes it very easy to use the laptop. It comes preinstalled with everything you may need as a writer. Moreover, it is made with recycled aluminum so that there is minimum waste created when designing this laptop.

This MacBook air also has a battery life that lasts all day. It features a 13.3-inch display which runs on 8GB RAM, has 128GB of SSD and it has everything that you need in a sleek package. If you like the neat and clean feel of a MacOS, pick this laptop and you are sorted for at least the next few years.

Apple has recreated the keyboard so that writing is easier than ever on this device. It features the iconic butterfly mechanism which is more stable than the traditional scissor mechanism used in traditional laptops. However, it would solely depend on the type of experience you prefer. But getting used to the new butterfly mechanism won’t take much time.

This ensures that your typing experience is more comfortable and the keys are more responsive. The laptop also comes with individually backlit keys which will help you type in low light as well.

7. HP Pavilion 15-inch Commercial Notebook i5-8250U, 8GB RAM, 1TB HDD

15.6-Inch IPS Touchscreen FHD (1920×1080)

8th Generation Intel Quad Core i5-8250U

8 GB DDR4-2400 SDRAM

1 TB 5400 rpm SATA HDD

Windows 10 Home 64-bit

Integrated Intel UHD Graphics 620

Weighs 4.21 pounds

Packed with a lot of features and affordable at a medium price range, HP Pavilion is one of the best laptops that provides you bang for your bucks. It features a stunning 15.6 inch full-HD screen, an i5 processor and 8 GB of RAM. Paired with 1 TB of hard drive and 256 GB of SSD, it takes very little time to load.

The laptop offers a perfect combination of speed and performance with its ample SSD and hard drives. HP also provides you the provision to customize the keyboard and get one that is backlit.

The laptop comes preinstalled with Windows 10 which aids working individuals. You can also customize it to meet your requirements. It has a sleek and sophisticated looking body which is perfect for individuals who do not want their notebook to be excessively flashy.

Pavilion laptops come in a wide variety of ranges. You can spec them out as per your convenience. You can get one with a touch screen, or one that comes with a 360-degree rotatable screen that can be swiveled to turn into a tablet. The multifunctional use is perfect for people who want to get the most out of their laptop and want to use it as a tablet as well as laptop.

One of my favorite features of the touchscreen laptops is that they come with a Surface Ink Pen which uses Microsoft Ink in order to write on the laptop. You can take notes and also draw on your laptop if you so desire.

If faster boot time is what you want most, you can opt for a Pavilion laptop that comes with a 256 GB SSD. The range is diverse enough to cater to almost all kinds of writers, so check it out to get the machine of your dreams.

Built with aluminum and offering a quick boot time, Asus ZenBook is the perfect laptop meant to be carried around effortlessly. It’s a sleek machine that will steal your heart as soon as you lay your eyes on it. The laptop has a crystal finish paired with a sophisticated design that makes it stand out to the max.

But looks are not all that the ZenBook has to offer.

The laptop is a prime example of a unique blend of powerful performance and portability. With its core i5 and i7 processors, this brilliantly designed notebook can run several functions without lagging once. It is designed to perform for years without needing an upgrade.

The powerful device also comes with a slim bezel that provides an immersive experience when watching movies and videos. It has a 13-inch screen which makes it extremely portable and lightweight to be used.

For the ultra-busy writers, the laptop can be charged up to 60 percent in less than 40 minutes, owing to its 50Wh lithium-polymer battery. On full charge, the laptop can run for 14 hours without any hitch.

With its 8 GB RAM and 1 TB hard drive, it can run fast and store more. It even comes with a backlit keyboard. But the biggest selling point of this laptop is its touch screen, which is perhaps the reason why it is priced so high. So, if you are someone who doesn’t need a touch screen, there are definitely cheaper machines you can get for similar specs.

One of the benefits of a touch screen is that the laptop can save your work in real-time. So, you can archive everything without fearing loss of data. You can handwrite notes, write on e-books, and do so much more with an Asus ZenBook.

The keyboard of the laptop is sized perfectly, so you can rest assured that writing on it is extremely smooth. I also love the fact that Asus gives you the option to build your own machine, so you can simply choose your own specs if the retail price is too much for you.

The laptop is one of the top-notch machines in the market for writers. The company managed to hit it out of the park with dual-core 6th gen intel core that comes with Turbo Boost Technology 2.0.

Multitasking has never been so easy. The Microsoft Surface Book has a dedicated L3 cache and 16 GB of RAM so that every task you perform is quick and efficient. The 267 PPI screen further ensures that you get high-resolution pictures, true-to-life colors, high contrast, and very little glare.

One of my favorite features of the laptop is that it comes with a detachable design. After you detach the screen, you can use it simply as a tablet. The included surface pen makes it extremely easy to take notes by hand. You can also rotate the screen and attach it to the dock so that you can take full advantage of the tactile keyboard.

Talking about the ingenious surface pen, it provides a natural and realistic writing experience. If you are one of those people who can only feel their creative juices flowing when you put pen to paper, this is a must for you. With the click of the surface pen on your laptop, you can instantly convert it into a notebook.

This laptop is perfect for writers who want to get the most out of their machines. Whether you want to use it as a tablet, write on it, or simply love the feeling of a touchscreen, Microsoft Surface Book will meet all your demands.

However, since it is priced at such a high range, we recommend to only splurge on this device if you really need to use a touch screen.

Lenovo IdeaPad 130 is one of the most favorite laptops for writers. This light-weight machine comes with really high performance. The dual-core AMD A9 processor and 4 GB RAM allow this laptop to run Windows 10 Operating System smoothly and flawlessly.

The 15.6-inch Ideapad is perfect for increasing productivity. With its 128 GB SSD, the laptop offers start-up time and data access. There is no noise and reduced heat production, and it also withdraws very little battery.

The laptop also comes with an optical drive which lets you read and write digital files. The flagship performance is one of the most value-driven laptops which makes it perfect for writers who do not have a large budget.

With 1 TB of hard drive, a DVD reader which is quite rare these days, 2 USB 3.0 ports and a USB Type-C port – the device is perfectly designed to work with all the accessories you own. It weighs only 4.85 pounds and is only 0.9 inches thin with a 2-cell-lithium-ion battery.

Since the laptop is so thin and light, you can easily carry it anywhere you want. Moreover, it can be used for multitasking, since it comes with a 1366×768 HD resolution display. You can easily watch movies and enjoy videos on this machine.

The Verdict

Being a writer is not easy, you have to be creative, be a researcher, an artist and all of it at the same time. Make a single mistake while doing research and the entire viewpoint in your article would go wrong. That’s even writers at Freedom 251 consider using mechanical pencils to write down their research points on paper and cross-check them before making a statement or providing a suggestion. The link above includes the best models which are highly suitable for writers, artists, and even students.

This guide of ours should help you find the best laptop for your writing needs because our team has spent huge time in researching, a few of them were tested in our labs and we also conducted surveys to find out the real experience from the customers and then added a model to our list. Besides, we’ll keep updating this article once in a month to replace a model with a newer one if there’s a better one available in the market.

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